Syracuse University Brass Ensemble presents annual holiday concerts throughout CNY

Syracuse University Brass Ensemble presents annual holiday concerts throughout CNYNovember 20, 2008Rob Enslinrmenslin@syr.edu

NOTE TO EDITORS: The time of the Oswego concert has changed from 3 p.m. (previously published) to 7 p.m.

The Syracuse University Brass Ensemble (SUBE), led by Music Director James T. Spencer, is preparing to present its annual series of holiday concerts throughout Central New York. Performances are Sunday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. at Saints Peter and John Episcopal Church (169 Genesee St., Auburn); Sunday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Hendricks Chapel on the SU campus, with the Hendricks Chapel Choir, directed by John Warren, and University Organist Kola Owolabi; Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (103 West 7th St., Oswego); and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. at The United Church of Fayetteville (310 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville). All concerts are free and open to the public.

“This annual series of concerts is one of the highlights of our season,” says Spencer, who has served as SUBE’s music director and chief arranger since 1986. “This year’s program features a variety of musical chestnuts, as well as some new pieces that listeners of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy. There’s really something for everyone.”

One of the highlights of the series is the new work “In Praise of Science” by Robert Ward. Commissioned by SU’s College of Arts and Sciences for the recent opening of its Life Sciences Complex, the piece is scored for soprano and brass ensemble and features Laura Enslin, an adjunct instructor in the musical theater program of SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. “In Praise of Science” will be performed Nov. 30 and Dec. 14.

The programs for the concerts are as follows:

SUNDAY, NOV. 307 p.m.Saints Peter and John Episcopal Church, Auburn

• “Veni Emmanuel” (traditional, arr. by James T. Spencer)
• “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” (traditional, arr. by David Willcocks)
• “The Holly and the Ivy” (traditional, arr. by Douglas Court)
• “The Bells of Christmas” (arr. by Stephen Bulla)
• “Sleigh Ride” (Leroy Anderson, arr. by Ernest Tomlinson)
• Sing-along (arr. by Vaclav Nelhybel): “Angels We Have Heard on High” (traditional), “Silent Night” (Franz Xaver Gruber), and “Joy to the World” (George Frederick Handel)
• “In Praise of Science” (Robert Ward)
• “American Overture” (Joseph Willcox Jenkins, arr. by James T. Spencer), conducted by SUBE Associate Conductor Thomas Quirk
• “Galop” from “Moscow, Cheremushky” (Dmitri Shostakovich, arr. by James T. Spencer)
• “Jurassic Park” Overture (John Williams)
• “The Dam Busters” March (Eric Coates)

SUNDAY, DEC. 77:30 p.m.Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University Annual “Holiday at Hendricks” program, with the Hendricks Chapel Choir, directed by John Warren and University Organist Kola Owolabi

• “Veni Emmanuel” (traditional, arr. by James T. Spencer)
• “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” (traditional, arr. by David Willcocks)
• “Riu, Riu Chiu” (traditional)
• “Virga Jesse Floruit” (Anton Bruckner)
• “Academic Festival Overture” (Johannes Brahms, arr. by David Wright)
• “Glory to God” from “Messiah” (George Frederick Handel), guest conducted by Lillian Choi ’08, G’10
• “O Nata Lux” from “Lux Aeterna” (Morten Lauridsen)
• “The Holly and the Ivy” (traditional, arr. by Douglas Court)
• “Joshua Swings the Battle” (Stephen Bulla), featuring Jeffrey Stockham, trumpet
• “The Bells of Christmas” (Stephen Bulla)
• “Quem Vidistis, Pastores?” (Tomas Luis De Victoria)
• “Ani Ma’amin” (traditional)
• “Zol Zain Sholem” (traditional)
• “Gloria” (Randol Alan Bass)
• “Silent Night” (Franz Xaver Gruber)

SATURDAY, DEC. 137 p.m.St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, OswegoJoint concert with the Oswego High School Chamber Singers, directed by Veronica Shaver

• “The Holly and the Ivy” (traditional, arr. by Douglas Court)
• “The Bells of Christmas” (arr. by Stephen Bulla)
• “Veni Emmanuel” (traditional, arr. by James T. Spencer)
• “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” (traditional, arr. by David Willcocks)
• “Joy to the World” (George Fredrick Handel, arr. by Vaclav Nehlybel)
• “American Overture” (Joseph Willcox Jenkins, arr. by James T. Spencer), conducted by SUBE Associate Conductor Thomas Quirk
• “Academic Festival Overture” (Johannes Brahms, arr. by David Wright)
• “Galop” (Dmitri Shostakovich, arr. by James T. Spencer)
• “Jurassic Park” Overture (John Williams)

SUNDAY, DEC. 143 p.m.The United Church of Fayetteville, Fayetteville“Brass and Bells” Concert, with the church handbell choir

• “Sleigh Ride” (Leroy Anderson, arr. by Ernest Tomlinson)
• “The Holly and the Ivy” (traditional, arr. by Douglas Court)
• “The Bells of Christmas” (arr. by Stephen Bulla)
• “Veni Emmanuel” (traditional, arr. by James T. Spencer)
• “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” (traditional, arr. by David Willcocks)
• Sing-along (arr. by Vaclav Nelhybel): “Angels We Have Heard on High” (traditional), “Silent Night” (Franz Xaver Gruber), and “Joy to the World” (George Frederick Handel)
• “In Praise of Science” (Robert Ward)
• “Academic Festival Overture” (Johannes Brahms, arr. by David Wright)
• “Galop” from “Moscow, Cheremushky” (Dmitri Shostakovich, arr. by James T. Spencer)
• “Jurassic Park” Overture (John Williams)

SUBE is an award-winning, 35-piece ensemble administered by The College of Arts and Sciences. It is composed of students, staff and faculty members, and alumni from SU and from neighboring institutions. SUBE performs no fewer than 15 concerts a year, featuring music of all styles and time periods. More information is available at http://subrass.com/main.html.